Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAGPR’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAGPR’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and sturdy plant habit; vigorous growth habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; freely flowering habit; and large semi-double type inflorescences with reddish purple-colored ray florets.

Botanical designation: Dahlia hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘BKDAGPR’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR/APPLICANT and ASSIGNEE

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant, botanically known as Dahlia hybrida and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘BKDAGPR’.

The new Dahlia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Maasdijk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely branching container Dahlia plants with large inflorescences and attractive ray floret coloration.

The new Dahlia plant originated from an open-pollination in September, 2014 in Maasdijk, The Netherlands Dahlia sp. ‘Datretten’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,971, as the female, or seed, parent with an unknown selection of Dahlia hybrida as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Dahlia plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated open-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands in September, 2015.

Asexual reproduction of the new Dahlia plant by terminal cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Maasdijk, The Netherlands since March, 2016 has shown that the unique features of this new Dahlia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Dahlia have not been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘BKDAGPR’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘BKDAGPR’ as a new and distinct Dahlia plant:

-   -   1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading and sturdy plant         habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit.     -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit.     -   6. Large semi-double type inflorescences with reddish purple-         colored ray florets.

Plants of the new Dahlia differ primarily from plants of the female parent, ‘Datretten’, in inflorescence type as plants of the new Dahlia have semi-double type inflorescences whereas plants of ‘Datretten’ have decorative type inflorescences. In addition, ray florets of plants of the new Dahlia are reddish purple in color whereas ray florets of plants of ‘Datretten’ are red and white in color.

Plants of the new Dahlia can be compared to plants of Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAPR’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,278. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Dahlia differ from plants of ‘BKDAPR’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Dahlia are more open and not as sturdy as         plants of ‘BKDAPR’.     -   2. Ray florets of plants of the new Dahlia are reddish purple in         color whereas ray florets of plants of ‘BKDAPR’ are dark red         purple in color.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Dahlia plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘BKDAGPR’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical inflorescence of ‘BKDAGPR’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and the following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the winter and spring in 15-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Maasdijk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typical of commercial Dahlia production. During the production of the plants, day and night temperatures ranged from 17° C. to 19° C. Plants were pinched one time and were eight weeks from planting rooted cuttings when the photographs and description were taken. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Dahlia hybrida ‘BKDAGPR’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Dahlia sp. ‘Datretten’, disclosed             in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,971.         -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Unknown selection of Dahlia             hybrida, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By terminal cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About 16 days at             temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 19 days at             temperatures about 19° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About 21 days             at temperatures ranging from 18° C. to 21° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About 23 days             at temperatures ranging from 19° C. to 21° C.         -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically             white in color, actual color of the roots is dependent on             substrate composition, water quality, fertilizers, substrate             temperature and physiological age of roots; tuber             development has not been observed on plants of the new             Dahlia.         -   Rooting habit.—Moderately freely branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant and growth habit.—Upright to somewhat outwardly             spreading plant habit; overall plant shape, roughly globular             with inflorescences held above the foliar plane on strong             peduncles; freely basal branching habit with about three             primary branches each with about twelve secondary branches             developing per plant; bushy and dense growth habit; pinching             is not required but will improve branching habit; vigorous             growth habit and moderate growth rate.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of foliar plane.—About 25.3             cm.         -   Plant height, soil level to top of floral plane.—About 39.9             cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 45.5 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Length: About 13.2 cm. Diameter: About             7 mm. Internode length: About 5.4 cm. Aspect: Primary             branches are about 30° from vertical; secondary branches are             about 30° from primary branch axis. Strength: Moderately             strong to strong. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous;             glossy. Color, developing: Close to 144A. Color, developed:             Close to 146A strongly tinged with a blend of N186C and             200B. -   Leaf & leaflet description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Leaves opposite; simple and compound with             typically three leaflets.         -   Length, simple leaves.—About 10.8 cm.         -   Width, simple leaves.—About 7.9 cm.         -   Length, compound leaves.—About 16.9 cm.         -   Width, compound leaves.—About 19.9 cm.         -   Length, terminal leaflets.—About 12.3 cm.         -   Width, terminal leaflets.—About 8.7 cm.         -   Length, lateral leaflets.—About 11.1 cm.         -   Width, lateral leaflets.—About 6.4 cm.         -   Shape, simple leaves.—Broadly ovate.         -   Shape, compound leaves.—Broadly ovate in outline.         -   Shape, leaflets.—Broadly ovate.         -   Apex, simple leaves and leaflets.—Broadly apiculate.         -   Base, simple leaves and leaflets.—Short to long attenuate.         -   Margin, simple leaves and leaflets.—Coarsely serrate to             dentate.         -   Venation pattern, simple leaves and leaflets.—Pinnate.         -   Texture and luster, upper surface, simple leaves and             leaflets.—Mostly smooth, glabrous with venation, moderately             pubescent; not rugose; slightly glossy.         -   Texture and luster, lower surface, simple leaves and             leaflets.—Sparsely pubescent; not rugose; matte.         -   Color.—Developing simple leaves and leaflets, upper surface:             Close to a blend of 137A and 137B. Developing simple leaves             and leaflets, lower surface: Close to a blend of 147B and             148B. Fully expanded simple leaves and leaflets, upper             surface: Close to NN137A; venation, close to N144A. Fully             expanded simple leaves and leaflets, lower surface: Close to             191A; venation, close to 146B.         -   Petioles.—Length, simple leaves: About 4.5 cm. Diameter,             simple leaves: About 3 mm. Length, compound leaves: About             6.4 cm. Diameter, compound leaves: About 4 mm to 5 mm.             Strength, simple and compound leaves: Moderately strong.             Texture and luster, simple and compound leaves, upper and             lower surfaces: Mostly smooth and glabrous; proximally,             sparsely pubescent; glossy. Color, simple and compound             leaves, upper surface: Close to 166A to a blend of N186C and             200A; towards the margins, close to 143B. Color, simple and             compound leaves, lower surface: Close to 146B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and arrangement.—Large semi-double type             inflorescences with ray and disc florets forming acropetally             on a receptacle; inflorescences positioned above and beyond             the foliar plane on strong peduncles; inflorescences face             mostly upright to slightly outwardly; freely flowering habit             with about 20 developing and fully developed inflorescences             per plant at one time.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Flowering response and flowering period.—Early flowering             habit, plants begin flowering about 62 days after planting;             plants flower continuously during the autumn into the winter             in The Netherlands.         -   Post-production longevity.—Inflorescences maintain good             substance for about ten days on the plant; inflorescences             persistent.         -   Inflorescence buds.—Height: About 1.4 cm. Diameter: About             3 cm. Shape: Flattened globular; involucral bracts slightly             upright. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; glossy.             Color: Close to 144B; proximally, close to 144A slightly             tinged with close to 173C to 173D; involucral bracts, close             to 137B.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Large, about 12.1 cm. Depth             (height): About 7 cm. Disc diameter: About 2.5 cm.         -   Receptacles.—Height: About 7 mm. Diameter: About 2 cm.             Shape: Lunate. Color: Close to 144D.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:             About 75 arranged in about five whorls. Length: About             4.6 cm. Width: About 1.9 cm. Shape: Obovate; moderately to             strongly carinate and slight to moderately convex. Apex:             Obtuse with a small abrupt acute tip, mucronate. Base:             Cuneate. Margin: Entire. Aspect: Slightly upright to mostly             horizontal. Texture and luster, upper surface: Smooth,             glabrous; velvety; matte. Texture and luster, lower surface:             Smooth, glabrous; slightly velvety; mostly matte with             venation, slightly glossy. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Close to a blend of N78A and N80A; towards the             base, close to a blend of N78A and N79C. When opening, lower             surface: Close to 77B; towards the margins, close to N80A.             Fully opened, upper surface: Slightly darker and more             intense than a blend of NN78A and N79C; towards the base,             close to a blend of 71A and N79C; venation, similar to             lamina color; with subsequent development, color becoming             closer to N81A and towards the base, close to a blend of 60A             and 187D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to N78A;             venation, close to N75D; with subsequent development, color             becoming closer to 77B and towards the margins, close to             N78A.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:             About 60 massed at the center of the inflorescence in about             five spiral whorls. Length: About 2.1 cm. Diameter: About             9 mm. Shape: Tubular, elongated; lower 93.5% fused and upper             6.5% free; apices, acute and reflexed. Texture and luster,             inner and outer surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color,             when opening, inner and outer surfaces: Apex: Close to 12A.             Mid-section: Close to 12B. Base: Close to 155C. Color, fully             opened, inner and outer surfaces: Apex: Close to 12A.             Mid-section and base: Close to 155C.         -   Phyllaries.—Quantity per inflorescence and arrangement:             About five to seven arranged in a single whorl. Length:             About 2.1 cm. Width: About 7 mm. Shape: Oblanceolate;             proximally, strongly carinate. Apex: Acute. Base: Cuneate.             Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower             surfaces: Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color, upper surface:             Close to 143A. Color, lower surface: Close to 137B;             venation, close to NN137A.         -   Peduncles.—Length, terminal peduncle: About 19.2 cm.             Diameter, terminal peduncle: About 4 mm. Strength: Strong.             Aspect: Mostly upright. Texture and luster: Smooth,             glabrous; moderately glossy. Color: Close to 144A strongly             tinged with close to a blend of N186C and 200B.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium, present on disc florets             only: Quantity per floret: About five. Filament length:             About 7 mm. Filament color: Close to 157D. Anther size:             About 5 mm by 0.5 mm. Anther shape: Narrowly oblong. Anther             color: Close to 15B. Pollen amount: Abundant. Pollen color:             Close to N25C. Gynoecium, present on ray and disc florets:             Quantity per floret: One. Pistil length: About 1.9 cm. Style             length: About 1.5 cm. Style color: Close to 157D. Stigma             diameter: About 9 mm. Stigma shape: Cleft. Stigma color:             Close to 17A. Ovary color: Close to 145D. Seeds and fruits:             To date, seed and fruit development have not been observed             on plants of the new Dahlia. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Dahlia have     not been observed to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Dahlia plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Dahlia have been observed     to tolerate high temperatures of about 35° C. and to be suitable for     USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Dahlia plant named ‘BKDAGPR’ as illustrated and described. 